As explosions rocked Tehran and missiles streaked across Middle Eastern skies, many around the world began asking the same urgent question: Why are Israel and Iran at war and why is the United States involved in Operation Epic Fury?
The conflict that erupted in February 2026 did not begin overnight. It is the result of years of escalating hostility, proxy warfare, nuclear tensions, and strategic calculations that finally tipped into open, large-scale military confrontation.
Here's how it reached this point.
From Shadow War to Direct Strikes
For decades, Israel and Iran have viewed each other as strategic enemies. But until recently, their conflict was largely indirect - fought through cyberattacks, covert operations, and regional proxy groups rather than open warfare.
That changed in 2026.
Under what U.S. officials have called "major combat operations," American and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and leadership sites. Targets reportedly included senior command infrastructure and security facilities in Tehran. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks toward Israel and U.S. military assets across the region, including reported strikes near Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar.
What had once been a shadow war suddenly became direct.
Why Are Israel and Iran at War?
1. Israel Sees Iran's Nuclear Program as an Existential Threat
At the core of the conflict is Israel's long-standing belief that Iran's nuclear ambitions pose a direct threat to its survival.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly stated that a nuclear-armed Iran would fundamentally alter regional security. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes. However, Israeli intelligence assessments in 2025-2026 suggested that Iran was advancing uranium enrichment capabilities and missile technology at a pace Israel found unacceptable.
In response, Israel initiated direct strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-related facilities, arguing the action was pre-emptive and necessary for national defense.
The message from Israeli officials has been clear: they will not allow Iran to cross what they see as a nuclear red line.
2. Years of Proxy Warfare and the "Axis of Resistance"
The hostility between the two nations intensified after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered a wider regional crisis.
Iran has long supported a network of allied armed groups - often referred to as the "Axis of Resistance" - including:
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Hezbollah in Lebanon
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Hamas in Gaza
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Houthi forces in Yemen
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Militias in Iraq and Syria
These groups have targeted Israeli territory and, at times, U.S. positions in the region. Israel has accused Iran of orchestrating a multi-front strategy designed to surround and pressure it.
Over time, missile exchanges and cross-border incidents blurred the line between proxy conflict and direct confrontation. By early 2026, Israeli leaders appeared to conclude that confronting proxy groups was no longer enough - they would need to strike Iran itself.
3. Internal Pressure Inside Iran
Another factor shaping the conflict is Iran's internal instability.
In late 2025, the country faced significant economic challenges, including inflation, currency devaluation, and public protests. While details vary depending on sources, there is broad acknowledgment that domestic tensions were rising.
Some analysts believe Israel - and to a degree the United States - saw this moment as strategically significant. Strikes during a period of internal strain could weaken the Iranian regime's military infrastructure and influence its political stability.
President Donald Trump went further, urging Iranians to "take over your government" during his announcement of U.S. involvement - a statement that intensified debate about whether regime change is an implicit goal.
Why Is the United States Involved?
The U.S. participation under Operation Epic Fury stems from three major considerations: alliance commitments, regional strategy, and nuclear prevention.
1. America's Alliance With Israel
The United States is Israel's primary military ally. Defense cooperation between the two nations spans intelligence sharing, missile defense systems, and strategic planning.
According to U.S. officials, Operation Epic Fury was conducted after months of close coordination with Israel. Washington framed its involvement as necessary to protect American interests and support an ally facing what it describes as escalating threats.
When Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. military facilities in the Gulf region, the conflict further solidified American participation.
2. Regional Security and Deterrence
The United States maintains military bases across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait. These bases have been within range of Iranian missiles.
By striking Iranian military infrastructure, U.S. officials argue they are attempting to degrade Iran's capacity to threaten regional stability and American personnel.
The concern is not only Israel's security, but the broader balance of power across the Middle East.
3. Preventing Nuclear Proliferation
Perhaps the most publicly emphasized reason for U.S. involvement is nuclear non-proliferation.
President Trump described the strikes as necessary to eliminate what he called an "imminent threat." U.S. leaders argue that allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons could trigger a regional arms race involving other Middle Eastern powers.
From Washington's perspective, Operation Epic Fury is intended to send a message: nuclear advancement beyond agreed limits will be met with force.
Global Reactions and Legal Debate
The strikes have drawn mixed international reactions.
Some U.S. allies expressed support for efforts to prevent nuclear escalation, while others urged restraint and respect for international law. Critics argue that the operation risks widening the conflict and undermining diplomatic solutions.
Humanitarian organizations have warned of potential civilian impact, especially as missile exchanges affect densely populated areas.
Meanwhile, Russia and several European leaders have expressed concern that the escalation could destabilize global security further.
What Happens Next?
The shift from proxy warfare to direct confrontation represents a dangerous turning point.
Iran has warned that it will treat attacks as acts of war. The United States has indicated operations may continue for days. Israel has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of further retaliation.
Oil markets are watching closely. Diplomatic channels remain strained. Regional governments are preparing for potential spillover.
Whether Operation Epic Fury becomes a short-lived campaign or a prolonged regional war depends on decisions made in the coming days.
A Sobering Moment
At its core, the Israel-Iran war reflects deep ideological hostility, security fears, and strategic rivalry that have built over decades.
For many around the world - especially people of faith - the escalation is a sobering reminder of how quickly political calculations can turn into human consequences. As missiles fly and rhetoric intensifies, calls for restraint, protection of civilians, and prayer for peace grow louder.
Understanding why Israel and Iran are at war - and why the U.S. joined through Operation Epic Fury - helps explain the present moment. But it also underscores a larger truth: wars rarely emerge from a single event. They are the culmination of history, fear, power, and unresolved tension.
And the world is now watching what comes next.
